NASA’s Parker Solar Probe has achieved yet another astonishing milestone, propelling it into the annals of space exploration history. The spacecraft has smashed its previous record as the fastest human-made object, reaching an incredible speed of 635,266 kilometers (394,736 miles) per hour during its latest approach to the Sun.
For context, imagine an aircraft hurtling around our planet 15 times in just one hour at such mind-boggling speeds. This remarkable achievement surpasses the probe’s own previous record, which stood at 586,863.4 kilometers (346,600 miles) per hour, set a mere three years ago.
The Parker Solar Probe is currently embarking on its 17th orbit, with another seven orbits planned before its daring plunge into the Sun’s scorching surface. Not only has it secured the title of the fastest human-made object, but it has also etched another record into the history books by achieving the closest approach to the Sun at a mere 7.26 million kilometers.
To accomplish these incredible feats, NASA scientists had to meticulously calculate a precise trajectory. This path was designed to align the probe with Venus, allowing it to utilize the planet’s gravitational pull to decelerate and gradually draw its orbit closer to the Sun, culminating in its inevitable encounter with our star.
The Parker Solar Probe’s journey is nothing short of awe-inspiring, as it aims to unlock the mysteries of the Sun and our solar system. Its remarkable achievements, such as being the first NASA spacecraft to “touch” the Sun, highlight the strides we are making in expanding our knowledge of the cosmos.
